School of Medicine

Ultrasound at the DMC

Ultrasound in the Emergency Department is led by Daniel S. Morrison, MD, RDMS a board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician who completed a fellowship in Emergency Medicine Ultrasound.

Ultrasound has been used at Wayne State University Departments of Emergency Medicine since the mid 1990s with the FAST ultrasound for trauma patients and its use has been expanding since that time.

Within the last year, a push has been made to update the ultrasound machines in the departments and institute a quality assurance process which will require all scans to be recorded for QA review.  Furthermore, there is a formal credentialing process for Emergency Medicine Attending Physicians which is approved by the Department of Radiology which allows for individuals to become credentialed in certain specific applications (FAST, Cardiac, Transabdominal Pregnancy, Vascular Access and Regional Anesthesia, and Skin and Superficial Structures), or become credentialed for global applications.  We have made effort to decrease the number of central venous catheters that are being placed for patients who have difficult IV access.  These patients are now frequently able to have ultrasound guided peripheral IVs placed.  In addition, continue to incorporate ultrasound more into the daily practices of Emergency Medicine with such applications as ultrasound in trauma, focused ultrasounds of the heart, gallbladder, kidneys, aorta, thoracic structures, and superficial structures to differentiate abscess vs. cellulitis.

Ultrasound is incorporated into the residency training in the first year with a 2 day orientation and then with dedicated time during a given month with the ultrasound director.  It is hoped that the rotation will expand with review of current literature, more participation in the quality assurance process, and the opportunity to participate in research projects.  The opportunity for an elective rotation is also available where residents can continue to hone their skills.  It is expected that all residents demonstrate ultrasound proficiency before completion of residency, and with the steps in place, there is no reason for residents to not meet or exceed the American College of Emergency Physician’s guidelines on ultrasound training prior to graduation.

There are also ample opportunities to be involved with medical student ultrasound training as Wayne State University has incorporated medical students using ultrasound in the first year with formal presentations and ultrasound labs.

Overall, ultrasound training in the Department of Emergency Medicine will continue to improve as more and more physicians incorporate it into their standard practice.